TITLE:
Primary Melanoma of the Vagina Treated by Imatinib: Case Report
AUTHORS:
Karima Oualla, Fatimazahra El’mrabet, Hind Elfatemi, Samia Arifi, Nawfel Mellas, Abdelaziz Banani, Siham Tizniti, Afaf Amarti, Omar Elmesbahi
KEYWORDS:
Mucosal Melanoma; Vagina; CKIT; Imatinib
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Cancer Therapy,
Vol.4 No.7,
August
16,
2013
ABSTRACT: Melanoma of the vagina is a rare lesion. It results from the malignant transformation of ectopic melanocytes occurring in post-menopause. The CKIT is expressed in 36% of cases in addition to melanoma markers. Prognosis is poor especially for inoperable and disseminated forms despite systemic therapy. Treatment with Imatinib is an option in cases of metastatic mucosal melanoma with CKIT mutation or amplification. We report the case of post-menopausal women, treated at Hassan II University Hospital, diagnosed with metastatic melanoma of the vagina, that didn’t respond to first line of chemotherapy, and received Imatinib as second line of treatment, with good clinical response and durable stability at radiological assessment.